Mother given decades-long prison sentence for killing her 7-year-old son

OGLE COUNTY, Ill. (WIFR/Gray News) - A mother will spend more than three decades in prison after admitting to killing her young child.

According to the Ogle County State’s Attorney’s Office, Sarah Safranek, 38, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the death of her 7-year-old son, Nathaniel Burton.

Ogle County prosecutors say Sarah Safranek suffocated Nathaniel Burton on Feb. 17, 2021, at their home in the 400 block of S. 10th Street.

Burton died later that day at a Dixon hospital.

During Wednesday’s hearing, Judge Anthony Peska ordered that the 35-year sentence must be fully served, followed by three years of mandatory supervised release.

Ogle County State’s Attorney Mike Rock said the plea follows an extensive criminal investigation by the Oregon Police Department.

According to Rock, the agreement was reached after consultation with the victim’s family and after taking into consideration the prior court’s evidentiary ruling.

In March 2024, Safranek also pleaded guilty, but later withdrew her plea.